Producers Lab Toronto

Producers Lab Toronto (PLT) is an international co-production forum delivered through a partnership between OMDC, European Film Promotion (EFP) and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Producers Lab Toronto gathers experienced feature film producers from across Canada and Europe for three days of industry programming at the start of the Toronto International Film Festival. In 2016, PLT will again include producers from guest countries Australia and New Zealand to broaden the range of co-production possibilities. After seven very successful years this will be the final cycle of the program, so eligible producers are encouraged to apply.

The objectives of PLT are to discuss projects, build knowledge, grow relationships and support partnership-building for the financing, production and distribution of Canada-Europe and “guest country” co-productions. PLT 2016 is scheduled from September 7–9, 2016 in Toronto, taking advantage of the presence of the global film industry in the city to create a platform for the promotion of PLT participants and their projects. A total of 24 producers will be selected to participate, ensuring an informal and highly interactive experience.

What Participants Are Saying

“PLT provides producers with unprecedented access to an incredible pool of talent, knowledge and resources. With the globalization of the film market, co-production is vital to a sustainable film industry and PLT is right on the mark.” – Chantelle Kadyschuk, No Trace Camping Productions Inc.

“Producer’s Lab Toronto offers a rare opportunity to network with and share intelligence with experienced producer’s from Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. With a focus on co-production the Lab offers opportunities to learn, to pitch and to collaborate. If you get a chance to participate in the Lab do so! I highly recommend it.” – Rebecca Summerton, Closer Productions.

“At the Producers Lab you get a unique opportunity to meet new colleagues on a personal level which gives you the chance to enhance your network of trusted possible future co-producers substantially.” – Hlin Johannesdottir, Vintage Pictures.

Scheduling for selected participants consists of meetings, pitching sessions, case studies and roundtables with other members of the group and industry executives, along with VIP hospitality and networking events. Canadian producers and their international counterparts are able to exchange ideas and knowledge, while discussing concrete co-production opportunities.

Benefits of participation in this prestigious program include three days of relationship-building with high-potential producers from a range of European territories, Canada, and Australia and New Zealand. All participants also receive a complimentary Industry Pass to the Toronto International Film Festival. Canadian producers who reside outside of Toronto are eligible for subsidy of return flights and four nights of hotel accommodation. In addition, PLT conducts a publicity campaign to raise the profile of participants.

Producers Lab Toronto receives financial support from the European Union's Creative Europe programme, as well as European Film Promotion (EFP), OMDC and TIFF, with sponsorship from Telefilm Canada, Eurimages and the participation of Screen Australia the New Zealand Film Commission, and the provincial agencies of selected Canadian participants.

Application Deadline for Canadian Producers
Monday, June 13, 2016

Eligibility

Producers should have projects suitable for Canada-Europe and/or Australia/New Zealand co-production. Canadian PLT participants will be selected by a steering committee of representatives from OMDC and TIFF. European participants are selected by their national film commission or funding agency through the EFP network. Participants from Australia and New Zealand will be selected and supported by Screen Australia and the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC).

Please note that 2016 will be the final year of PLT with EFP and other partners. The past seven years have bridged the co-production gap between Canada, Europe and other guest countries, and we anticipate that the PLT network of connections created during the lifecycle of this program will continue to grow beyond the 2016 program dates.

This final round of PLT is also open to previous year’s PLT alumni.

Canadian applicants must have:

at least one feature film producer credit;

co-production experience or a track record sufficient to make them viable co-production partners;

one or more projects in development suitable for a Canada-Europe or Canada-New Zealand/Australia co-production.

Priority will be given to producers whose previous films were:

Selected for a significant international festival (including the Toronto International Film Festival);

Theatrically released in Canada;

Sold internationally.

Application Process

Please submit application via the OMDC website through the link below. Registration fee for accepted Canadian producer applicants is CA$500, payable on acceptance to the program.

To receive notification of upcoming deadlines and program updates, please email programs@omdc.on.ca with your complete contact information, including your full name, company name and telephone number, as well as the name of the program that you are interested in.